SR1163LRB101 21373 MST 71999 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Thomas J. "Tom" Costello of Urbana, who
4passed away on April 15, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Tom Costello was born in Chicago to Tom and
6Dorothy Zobel Costello on August 25, 1949; he attended St.
7Ignatius College Prep in Chicago; he earned his bachelor's
8degree at John Carroll University in Cleveland and his master's
9degree from Miami University of Ohio; he then attended the
10University of Illinois, where he worked toward a doctorate; he
11married Rosemary Lakatos on May 24, 1974; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Tom Costello became a part-time bus driver for the
13Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District in May of 1974; he
14eventually became the assistant managing director, becoming a
15friend, guide, and mentor to hundreds of employees over the 40
16years he worked with the organization; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Tom Costello was an avid volunteer in his adopted
18hometown; he served as a volunteer youth coach for soccer,
19basketball, and baseball; he frequently acted as an emcee or an
20auctioneer at community events; he served on the boards of many
21organizations, including the United Way, the Community
22Foundation of East Central Illinois, the Champaign Rotary, the

 

 

SR1163- 2 -LRB101 21373 MST 71999 r

1Developmental Services Center, the Illini Media Company, the
2C-U Schools Foundation, the Freedom Celebration Committee, the
3Champaign County Clock and Bell Tower Committee, and the
4Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation; he was a
5member of the University of Illinois Faculty Senate; he also
6was an Urbana City Council member and was the first chair of
7the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Tom Costello was a senior instructor in the
9Department of Communication at the University of Illinois,
10where he taught an introductory speaking course and courses in
11leadership, business, and professional speaking; he was
12regularly recognized for "Excellence in Undergraduate
13Teaching"; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Tom Costello followed sports, especially his
15former U of I students, some of whom became professional
16athletes; he enjoyed Westerns, theater, especially Broadway
17musicals, fishing, dining out, cooking massive amounts of food
18for large crowds, and organizing events for two to 2,000; he
19liked to travel and took his children to Europe several times,
20once to see sites in Italy, where his beloved father helped
21send the Axis to defeat in World War II; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Tom Costello loved his family, community,
23students, co-workers, and neighbors; he was a friend to many,

 

 

SR1163- 3 -LRB101 21373 MST 71999 r

1including the receptionist at the doctor's office, the
2attendant at the drive-thru restaurant, and the checkout clerk
3at the grocery store; his goal was to make his community a
4better place, and the proof of success is in his legion of
5friends and admirers; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Tom Costello was preceded in death by his son,
7Patrick; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Tom Costello is survived by his wife, Rosemary;
9his sons, Joseph (Kaitlin) and Jack (Laura); and his
10grandchildren, Libby and Rory; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Thomas J. "Tom" Costello and extend our sincere condolences to
14his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Tom Costello as an expression of our
18deepest sympathy.